ID21 Awards $50,000 Grand Prize Winners Announced

The ID21 Awards, a contest designed to discover and reward Idaho’s most creative and innovative learning programs, announced six grand prize winners who will receive $50,000 each at an event October 16, at the Egyptian Theatre in Boise.

“These transformative programs represent the education revolution in Idaho,” said Jamie MacMillan, executive director of the J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Foundation, sponsor of the ID21 Awards. “They are driven by outstanding leaders, supported by their community and use creativity, innovation and technology to provide real-world relevant skills for their students. These winners are changing the way Idaho learns.”

The winning programs represent public K-12 grade schools, community organizations and higher education programs across Idaho:

BSU completely re-designed its core curriculum in favor of an integrated, student-centered and tech-enabled learning experience based less on tradition and more on preparation for 21st Century careers requiring teamwork, problem-solving, innovation and communication.

As one of the only K-12 arts integrated schools in the US, this unique and resourceful school fosters academic and artistic growth by making music, drama, visual arts and dance integral to all classroom subjects. Recognized by US News and World Report as among the Best High Schools in 2012.

This transformative, skills-based program offers hands-on opportunities for at-risk youth to build a better life. An innovative, entrepreneurial organization, Life’s Kitchen offers not just culinary job training, but also mentoring and academic support. Life skills and character development follow naturally.

This school offers inquiry-based learning with a radical shakeup of the K-8 class schedule. Students spend every afternoon tackling an ambitious Science, Technology, Engineering or Math (STEM) project with real world applications. Partners include MIT, the Museum of Science and the US Navy.

Embracing the power of the ripple effect, teen student leaders design meaningful service-learning projects to address real-world problems on a local level. Entirely student-led projects cultivate leadership skills, media literacy, public speaking, compassion, and awareness of community and global issues.

MOSS gets students out into the woods for an unforgettable adventure learning experience away from home. MOSS leverages Idaho’s natural resources and a unique mentoring approach to inspire a new level of excitement about science.

The six programs will be honored at an exciting awards show at the Egyptian Theatre in downtown Boise on October 16th. Reserve seating for this event will be available. A television show highlighting the awards ceremony and winners premiers statewide on October 27th.

The ID21 Awards sprung from The ED SESSIONS, the popular speaker series in Boise featuring Sir Ken Robinson, Mike Rowe and Sal Khan. Sir Ken discussed the importance of creativity and innovation; Mike Rowe spoke about relevant 21st century skills; and Sal Khan described anytime/anywhere learning with technology through KhanAcademy.org.

Idahoans were invited to nominate schools, non-profits, government entities and other 501c3 organizations for an ID21 Award between May 1 and June 15, 2012. One hundred sixty-seven programs from across the state were nominated. Nominees were invited to fill out and submit a detailed application by August 1. Of the 167 nominees, 120 completed the application. An independent judge chose the finalists. To see the complete list of 24 finalists, click here.